5 recent album purchases I felt would help maintain my 'cred'

This is a decent U2 album. Say you were transported back in time to 1989 and you were pissed that Rattle n' Hum followed Joshua Tree and knew that they were capable of Achtung Baby but weren't quite sure it was gonna happen - this Bravery album would have filled the gap nicely. Too bad it's 2005.

I say they sound like the English Beat, Grant thinks they sound like XTC. Either way Seth Cohen digs 'em and they have a song about being a 900-year old robot. Can't be all bad.

They seem like girlfriend stealers. Keep an eye on them, they have a few French sounding song names - sure sign of trouble. Not to mention they have a grand sense of self importance, they are named after the Austrian archduke whose assassination sparked World War I. Rockstars.

I think my heart is going to beat out of my chest when I listen to Silent Alarm. Lay down and have plenty of liquids after listening to BP. Potential use: Play it before you go to ask your boss for a raise.

Pick a radio station. Doesn't have to be an alternative station, country, Mexican, talk radio - I'm pretty sure they are mandated to play a song by The Killers at least once a 'rock block'. That said, even the non-radio hits are pretty great. This album makes me want to buy a pair of checkered Vans.

In conclusion, you don't really need to buy all of these albums. Cred is overrated anyway. If you are looking for an album that does a nicer Duran Duran or English Beat than your local bar/cover band - one of these albums would suffice. If I had to pick one I would go with Hot Fuss since their lead singer has better make-up than most of the other bands lead singers.

Look tomorrow for a chilling continuation on this theme: 5 albums I bought recently out of a sense of obligation or guilt.